Eliminate the requirement for Medicare patients to obtain a physician order prior to seeing an audiologist

Allow for comprehensive audiologic benefits under Medicare

Physician status has long been the Academy’s end goal, however, given the current politically-charged and budget-conscious Congressional climate; the Academy has continued to pursue the singularly-focused direct access legislation as a pragmatic and evidence-based approach toward increased professional autonomy. The continuity of this effort demonstrates a mature and respected presence on Capitol Hill and the recently released comprehensive cost-analysis[3] demonstrates a savings of at least $240 million over ten years and provides the requisite data-driven platform preferred by members of Congress.

“The Academy fully supports efforts towards physician status for audiologists,” said Erin L. Miller, AuD, President of the American Academy of Audiology. “However, based on the current Congressional conditions and the extensive counsel provided to the Academy regarding achievability and overall strategy inherent to this initiative, the Academy will place its current efforts in the pursuit of direct access as the most achievable first step in this long range plan.”

The Access to Hearing Health Care Act (H.R. 4035/S. 2046) was introduced in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate in February 2014 and would afford “direct access” to audiologists for Medicare beneficiaries by removing the existing referral requirement. Click here[4] for more information on this initiative, including a list of current Congressional supporters. To urge your representatives to join the growing list of cosponsors, visit the Academy’s Legislative Action Center[5].